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Too much Halloween candy got you spooked? Try some of these healthy tips for party snacks and trick-or-treats. Ideas so good, it’s scary!
Try these tips to make your Halloween festivities a little healthier for your family, party guests and trick-or-treaters.
For the Trick-or-Treater
- Fill up first. What kid doesn’t want to eat their favorite candy right when it goes into their trick-or-treat bag? Having a healthy meal BEFORE your kids go trick-or-treating can reduce their temptation to snack while walking or to overindulge, because their tummies will be full.
- Bag the monster bag. Choose or make a smaller collection container for your child and steer clear of the pillow case method. If you encourage kids to only take one piece of candy from each house, they’ll be able to visit more houses in the neighborhood.
- Get moving. Get some exercise by making Halloween a fun family activity. Walk instead of driving kids house to house. Set a goal of how many houses or streets you’ll visit, or compete in teams to do as many as you can. Bring a bottle of water and a flashlight, and wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- Look before you eat. Check expiration dates and inspect all edibles before allowing children to eat them. Don’t let children eat anything with questionable or unknown ingredients, especially if they have food allergies.
- Have a plan. Halloween can be a great time to talk with kids about moderation and making smart eating choices. Plan in advance how much candy they’ll be allowed to take at each house, keep, and eat.
For the Stay-At-Home Crew
- No self-service. Hand out treats to each trick-or-treater – one per child – instead of letting them decide how much to take. If you have more than one item, ask them to choose which they prefer. This can help you get control of your Halloween budget, too!
- Be that house. You don’t have to pass out candy on Halloween. Start a new tradition and give out healthier treats or non-edible items. Get creative, and keep it colorful and kid-friendly.
Healthier Treats:
- 100% juice boxes or pouches
- Snack-sized packages of pretzels, popcorn, graham crackers, dried fruit or vegetables, trail mix, nuts, or pumpkin seeds
- 100% real fruit strips
- Squeezable yogurt pouches
- Single-serving containers of mandarin oranges or other fruit
- Sugar-free gum
Non-edible items: - Glow sticks or small glow-in-the-dark toys
- Bouncy balls
- Mini plush toys and wind-up toys
- Crayons and coloring books
- Stickers, stamps or temporary tattoos
- Bubble makers
- Spider rings or vampire teeth
- Slime, putty or squishy toys
- Friendship bracelets
Be careful to avoid giving very small items that could be a choking hazard to little ones.
What to Do with Excess Candy
- Let each child keep enough candy to have one or two pieces a day for one or two weeks (long enough for the excitement to wane). Throw away, donate or re-purpose the rest.
- When your child asks for a piece of candy, pair it with a healthy snack: an apple, a banana, some nuts, or celery with peanut butter.
- “Buy back” candy from your child with money or tokens they can trade in for a fun activity: a day at the zoo, an afternoon playing at the park, going ice skating, or a day at the pool..
- Save it to fill the piñata at the next birthday celebration or give out with Valentine cards.
- Use it in an arts and crafts project or to decorate a holiday gingerbread house.
- Donate excess candy to a homeless shelter, children’s hospital, or care package program for troops overseas. A familiar sweet treat from home can be comforting at the holidays.
Have no fear – you got this! Let’s make Halloween fun, spooky, and a little healthier, too.
